Real Estate

Atlanta -- Aaron's, a lease-to-own, announced the recent opening of a combined 32 new company-operated and franchised stores in 17 different states and two Canadian provinces.

The announcement follows a strong growth year for the company in 2012, which included the opening of its 2,000th store in the Bronx in September.

Houston -- Brixmor Property Group said that Petco will open a new 12,150-sq.-ft. store at Merchants Park, in Houston.

Brixmor, based in New York City, is the owner of Merchants Park.

Panama City Beach, Fla. -- Columbus, Ohio-based Casto said that its JV partners The St. Joe Co. and Strategic Retail Advisors, along with U.S. Bank, have closed on a $46 million construction loan that will finance The Pier Park North Shopping Center, a 360,000-sq.-ft. shopping center in Panama City Beach, Fla.

Knoxville, Tenn. -- CHM announced that it has broken ground on Knoxville’s first urban, vertical retail complex, University Commons.

The Publix- and Walmart-anchored shopping and dining center will cover 12+ acres, with 211,000 sq. ft. of retail space and parking. Besides the two anchors, an additional 40,000 sq. ft. will be dedicated to smaller retailers and service providers once the project is completed.

Miami Beach, Fla. -- Terranova Corp. announced that three new tenants will open at Shops at Marlins Park, a retail area at the entrance of the new Marlins Park in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood.

Café Rubio Sports Bar & Restaurant, a Caribbean restaurant, has signed a 10-year, 3,200-sq.-ft. lease, with plans to open in mid-summer 2013. Subway has signed a 10-year lease for a 1,400-sq.-ft. restaurant also opening summer 2013.

Cigar shop 100 Fires will open a 625-sq.-ft. store in winter 2014.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The Fresh Market, a high growth specialty retailer of high quality food products, has announced the resignation of Randy Kelley as SVP real estate and development who will leave the company to pursue a new business opportunity. Kelley will remain with the company through early spring.

New York -- The Fresh Market announced the resignation of Randy Kelley as SVP real estate and development. Kelley, who is leaving the grocer, to pursue a new business opportunity, will remain with the company through early spring.

New York -- Uniqlo, a division of Japan's Fast Retailing Co., will open its second U.S. mall location, at Palisades Center in West Nyack, N.Y., on March 15.
 
The 24,000-sq.-ft. store will showcase Uniqlo's complete offering of products for men and women, as well as its spring kids collection.